7 Cool Ideas We Spotted in a Small Stalin-era Apartment

This apartment in a Kazan 'stalin-era' building is an excellent example of how to create a cozy, functional, and atmospheric space on a small area. Designer Angelina Borodkina was inspired by European interiors and carefully used every centimeter of space. Minimal changes to the layout, thoughtful storage solutions, and vintage finds helped make this apartment both stylish and practical. We break down eight ideas worth noting.

Kitchen and Entrance as One Space

Instead of leaving a dark and cramped corridor, it was merged with the kitchen. This made the apartment visually more spacious and added light to the entrance area. Upper kitchen cabinets were partially replaced with open shelves and glass doors, while overhead cabinets above the sink were completely omitted. As a result, the kitchen looks lighter and creates a cozy atmosphere upon entering rather than feeling like a stuffy box.

Bedroom in a Niche

In 'stalin-era' apartments, architectural niches are often present and were used to maximum effect here. The space was insulated, soundproofed, and converted into a comfortable sleeping area. Color zoning helped highlight the bed, while storage systems were installed in the headboard. This solution allowed avoiding a bulky wardrobe and preserved an airy feeling in the room.

Old Things, New Life

Vintage furniture became the main decoration of the interior. An old dresser was repainted in a deep gray tone and updated with new hardware, while a chair from the garage was restored and lacquered. New legs were added to a new pouf, making it look like a designer piece. This approach not only saves money but also makes the interior unique.

Parquet and Patterned Wallpaper

Instead of laminate, English oak parquet was chosen — it added status to the interior. The living room walls were decorated with wallpaper featuring a plant pattern that echoes the view from the window. This made the space more lively and gave it individuality.

Cozy Details That Create Atmosphere

There are no random elements here: every mirror, lamp, or textile detail is thought out to the smallest degree. On the table — grandmother's porcelain, and for the dining area, old chairs were found and reupholstered with new covers. Vintage wall sconces, soft throws, and botanical posters made the apartment truly cozy.

Maximum Built-in Storage Systems

In the bathroom, shelves are hidden above the toilet installation for storing filters, meters, and household chemicals. A tall wardrobe was designed in the entrance hall for clothing, and even space under the sink on the kitchen was utilized. Thanks to this, the apartment is always tidy and has more free space.

Shower Instead of a Bath

In the small bathroom, they opted for a shower cabin instead of a bulky bathtub. This freed up space and allowed placing a spacious wardrobe for outerwear in the entrance hall. The bathroom now looks modern and spacious, while built-in storage systems hide household chemicals and other small items.

This apartment is an excellent example of how thoughtful solutions can make even a 35 m² space comfortable and stylish. Fewer partitions, maximum light, built-in storage systems, and vintage accents are universal techniques that can be used in any small space.